Inputting information through touch input device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device and a method for receiving an input of information through a touch input device of the electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving information including at least one of symbols and characters through the input generated by touching of a screen displayed on the touch input device, and executing a specific application to process the received information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application Nos.10-2007-0006336 and 10-2007-0006343, filed on Jan. 19, 2007, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of inputting informationthrough a electronic touch input device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Generally, an electronic device equipped with a touch screen has abackground screen where no icon is displayed and touching on thebackground does nothing to the device and no information is input.

An application icon is linked to a specific application to provide ashortcut for executing the linked specific application upon touching theicon. The background of the touch screen usually displays a wallpaperimage selected by the user or provides instant information, such as aschedule or a calendar, which is checked often.

Generally, there are two approaches to execute a desired applicationusing the electronic device having the touch screen: the first is tosearch menu list to select a menu item linked to the desired applicationand the second is to touch an application icon linked to the desiredapplication.

The first approach may be inconvenient for the user because the user mayneed to scroll all the way down to search the menu list in order to findthe menu item linked to the desired application. The second approach maynot be practical because it may not be possible to display allapplications on a limited area of the display screen by linking them tothe application icons since there are numerous applications provided bythe electronic device.

This problem is more relevant to a general mobile terminal having asmall sized screen. Therefore, manipulation of the general mobileterminal having a touch screen requires a number of steps to execute thedesired application because the user needs to search through the menulist, for example, when inputting information such as a memo. Further,the general electronic device having the touch screen lacks thecapability of utilizing unique features of the touch screen by touchingthe background of the touch screen where no application icon isdisplayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, a method for inputting information through atouch input device of an electronic device includes inputtinginformation including at least one of symbols and characters by touchinga screen displayed on the touch input device and executing a specificapplication capable of processing the input information. The method thenexecutes a specific application capable of processing the inputinformation.

Preferably, the input information is displayed on the screen in realtime. The method may further include displaying the input information inreal time in a window displayed on a portion of the screen, wherein thewindow is associated with the executed application. Preferably, theinformation is input through an area of the screen where no applicationicon is displayed.

In the method, the specific application is one of a memo application forstoring the input information as a memo, a transmission application fortransmitting a message including the input information, a schedulerapplication for storing the input information as a schedule, a searchapplication for utilizing the input information as a search term, and anapplication related to a call function.

In the method, the input information is either converted into a symbolor a character through a recognition algorithm or processed as an image.If the specific application is an application related to a callfunction, the method may also include recognizing the input informationas a phone number, wherein the input information includes a number.

Preferably, the information is input during an idle mode of theelectronic device. Alternatively, the information is input while anotherapplication is being executed. Preferably, the other application is anapplication for reproducing a file. More preferably, the file is atleast one of an image file, a text file, a moving picture file, and anaudio file.

In another aspect, a method for inputting information through a touchinput device of an electronic device includes reproducing a file,inputting information including at least one of symbols and charactersby sensory touching of a screen displayed on the touch input devicewhile the file is being reproduced, and storing the input information inconnection with the reproduced file.

In the method, storing the input information includes one of appendinginput information to the reproduced file and storing the inputinformation in a separate file linked to the reproduced file. Storingthe input information may include storing a reproducing period or areproducing section of the reproduced file with the input information.The method may further include displaying the input information when thereproducing period or reproducing section of the reproduced file isreproduced after the input information is stored. Preferably, the fileis one of an image file, a text file, a moving picture file, and anaudio file.

In another aspect, an electronic device includes a touch input modulefor receiving an input including information, a memory for storing atleast one application, and a controller for displaying a screen on thetouch input module, receiving the information including at least one ofsymbols and characters when the screen is touched and executing aspecific application stored at the memory, the specific applicationcapable of processing the input information.

In yet another aspect, an electronic device includes a touch inputmodule for receiving an input including information, a memory forstoring at least one file to be reproduced and at least one applicationfor reproducing the at least one file, and a controller for displaying ascreen on the touch input module, receiving the information including atleast one of symbols and characters when the screen is touched whilereproducing the stored at least one file and storing the receivedinformation in connection with the reproduced file.

In yet another aspect, a method for executing an application using anelectronic device equipped with a sensory touch input module includestouching an area of a screen displayed by the sensory touch input modulewhere no application icon representing a predetermined application isdisplayed and executing a specific application in response to thetouching.

In the method a type of the specific application may be set by a user.The specific application may be set such that the specific applicationis executed in a specific time zone. Preferably, the specificapplication varies when the specific time zone varies.

In the method, the screen displays an indicator representing thespecific application in the area of the screen where no application iconis displayed. Preferably, the indicator includes at least one of a text,an icon, an image, and the screen.

In the method, the specific application may be executed when the area ofthe screen is touched once or N times within a predetermined time,wherein N is an integer larger than 1 and can be set or changed. Thetype of the specific application may vary depending on a number timesthe area where no application icon is displayed is touched within apredetermined time and the type of the specific applicationcorresponding to the number of times the area is touched can be set orchanged.

Alternatively, the specific application is executed when any one pointof the area where no application icon is displayed is touched or Nnumber of points are concurrently touched, wherein N is an integerlarger than 1 and can be set or changed. The type of the specificapplication may also vary based on a number of concurrent touchingpoints of the area where no application icon is displayed and the typeof the specific application corresponding to the number of concurrenttouching points can be set or changed.

In the method, the screen may be divided into a plurality of areas andthe specific application is linked in such a manner that differentapplications are linked to different divided areas. Preferably, a numberof the divided areas and a type of the specific application linked toeach of the divided areas can be set or changed.

In yet another aspect, an electronic device includes a touch inputmodule, a memory for storing at least two different types ofapplications, and a controller for displaying a screen on the touchinput module and executing a specific application selected from the atleast two different types of the applications when an area displaying noapplication icon representing a predetermined application is touched onthe screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic devicehaving a touch input module according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary top view of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for inputting informationusing the electronic device with the touch input module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a screen for inputting informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of a touch screen for inputting informationthrough a background of the screen according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are exemplary views of screens of the mobileterminal in which a memo application is being executed according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary views of screens for inputting informationthrough sensory touching inputs according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating another method for inputtinginformation through the touch input module of the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of a screen displaying a list ofapplications on the touch input module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating yet another method for inputtinginformation through the touch input module of the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view of a screen for inputting informationduring reproduction of a music file with the mobile terminal accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary view of a screen with input informationdisplayed in the background of the screen according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary view of a screen displaying a list of memosinput and stored through the touch input module of the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are exemplary views of screens displaying memos storedand linked to music files according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating another application execution methodin an electronic device having a touch input module according to anembodiment of the present invention according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary view of a touch input module for applyinganother application execution method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are exemplary views of a screen for implementinganother application execution method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary view of a screen for setting a specificapplication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22A to 22C are exemplary views of different types of applicationicons according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23A to 23C are exemplary views of a screen displaying an indicatoricon in various formats for a “wake-up” application according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24A to 24C are exemplary views of a screen of the mobile terminaldivided into a plurality of areas according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show byway of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field thatother embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as wellas procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similarparts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device 100 of afirst embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 100 maybe implemented as various types of electronic devices having a touchscreen such as a computer, a Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), or amobile communication terminal. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal with acommunication function will be mainly described as an example of theelectronic device 100.

The electronic device 100 comprises a mobile communication module 10, amemory 11, a touch input module 12, a key input 13, and a controller 14.These elements are connected to each other through a bus 15.

The communication module 10 is for transmitting and receiving datathrough a mobile communications network. For example, the electronicdevice 100 may transmit and receive a message or connect with otherdevices through the communication module 10.

The memory 1 stores programs for controlling general operations of theelectronic device 100, and further stores various data input, output andprocessed during the general operations of the electronic device 100under control of the controller 14. In addition, the memory 11 may storeone or more different types of applications. The applications mayinclude applications to perform various functions of the electronicdevice 100 and externally downloaded applications.

For example, the applications may include an application for editing amemo or a note, an application for transmitting and receiving ShortMessage Service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) messages, ascheduler application for managing a schedule, an application foroperating a camera, web browser applications for connecting to a mobileinternet, an application for connecting a call through the communicationmodule 10, applications for games, and applications for searching datastored at the memory 11.

Further, the memory 11 may store a symbol or character recognitionalgorithm. A touch trajectory input from the touch input module 12 maybe converted into a predetermined symbol or a character through thesymbol or character recognition algorithm.

The touch input module 12 displays various types of information or anoperation status of the electronic device 100 according to a controlsignal from the controller 14. The touch input module 12 is also usedfor inputting various types of information or commands via a sensorytouching by a user through a touch sensing technique.

The key input 13 includes one or more keys assigned to predefinedfunctions including various number keys or directional keys to inputvarious information and commands from the user. The controller 14controls the above described elements and the general operations of theelectronic device 100.

In addition to the above described elements, the electronic device 100may further include at least one of a broadcast receiver module, acommunication module for communicating through a wireless internet, acamera module, a vibration module for generating vibration, and varioustypes of sensors.

Examples of information display methods using the above describedelectronic device 100 will now be described. However, the informationdisplay method described herein may be performed by using alternativemethods. A method for inputting information using the electronic device100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the touch input module 12 displays a screen undercontrol of the controller 14. The screen may be divided into two areas:a first area 20 in which application icons are displayed and a secondarea 30, referred to as a background hereinafter, in which noapplication icon is displayed.

For example, the first area 20 may display application icons, such as amenu icon 21, for selecting a menu list, a call icon 22 for executing acall connection, a message icon 23 for executing a messagetransmission/reception, and a magnification icon 24 for magnifying data,such as a text and an image, displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 4.

The background 30 may include an indicator area 40 to inform a user of acurrent status of the electronic device 100. For example, the indicatorarea 40 may display at least one of an indicator 41 for signal receptionlevel, an indicator 42 for a message reception, an indicator 43 forvibration mode activation, an indicator 44 for remained battery powerlevel, and a clock 45.

As shown in FIG. 3, the screen is first touched at step S300 to inputinformation including at least one of a symbol and a character. Thecharacter may include a number. For example, the user may use a fingeror a stylus pen to input information through the touch input module 12by hand writing the information on the screen.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of a screen to input information through thescreen. As shown in FIG. 5, a string of characters “KOREA” is written onthe screen by the finger of the user.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the information may be input at step S300,through the entire area of the screen including the first area 20 andthe second area 30, or may be input through any other area of thebackground, except the first area 20. The input information may bedisplayed on the screen in real-time under control of the controller 14.For example, the touch trajectory of the information hand written byusing the finger or the stylus pen may be displayed on the screen in aspecific color which is distinguishable from the screen under control ofthe controller 14. The controller 14 executes a specific application atstep S310 capable of processing the input information.

In case when the input information is numbers, the specific applicationmay be applications related to a call function, such as storing theinput numbers as a phone number in a phone-book or placing a call to therecognized phone number. The application related to the call functionmay further provide a message transmission and reception function. Thus,if the user inputs numbers to the touch input module 12, the controller14 may recognize the input numbers as a phone number to execute theapplication related to the call function.

Further, in case when the input information corresponds to symbols orcharacters, the specific application may be any one of applications fortransmitting a message including the input information, searchapplications for searching the memory 11 or the Internet using the inputinformation as a search term, and a scheduler application for planning aschedule using the input information.

The specific application executed at step S310, shown in FIG. 3, may beset or changed by the user. The user may set the specific application tobe executed among the applications capable of processing the inputinformation and change the set application to another application. Thetiming of executing the specific application may vary.

The controller 14 may execute the specific application at the time whena signal input from the touch input module 12 is recognized as a symbolor a character. For example, when the user inputs the characters “KOREA”by hand writing on the screen of the touch input module 12, thecontroller 14 may execute the specific application when the firstcharacter “K” is inputted.

Alternatively, the controller 14 may execute the specific application atthe time when no signal is input from the touch input module 12 for apredetermined reference period after recognizing a symbol or a characterinput from the touch input module 12. For example, the controller 14 mayexecute the specific application when the user does not input any moreinformation during the predetermined reference period after inputtingcharacters “KOREA” by hand writing on the screen of the touch inputmodule 12, rather than when the first character “K” is inputted asdescribed above.

Alternatively, the controller 14 may execute the specific application atthe time when a signal input from the touch input module 12 isrecognized as a meaningful word or sign. For example, when the userinputs characters “KOREA IS” by hand writing on the screen of the touchinput module 12, the controller 14 may execute the specific applicationwhen it recognizes the input characters “KOREA” as a meaningful word.Therefore, the user may input the characters “IS” on the screen afterthe specific application is executed.

In the above examples, the entire screen does not need to be updatedupon execution of the specific application. For example, the controller14 may execute the specific application without updating the entirescreen when the user inputs the information on the screen. In this case,the controller 14 may not display any screen related to the executedspecific application. Alternatively, the controller 14 may display apopup window related to the executed application on the screen.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are exemplary views of screens in which a memoapplication is being executed. The controller 14 may convert the touchinput information into symbols or characters using the symbol orcharacter recognition algorithm to display the converted symbols orcharacters at a specific area of the screen, or may process the inputinformation as an image. The controller 14 may further control theexecuted application to display the input information in real time.

For example, the screen displays a touch trajectory of handwriting inFIG. 6( a) without converting it into signs or characters, therebyprocessing it as an image. In this example, the touch trajectory may beconverted into symbols or characters by the controller 14 while thetouch trajectory is being displayed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6( b), the screen displays charactersinto which the touch trajectory is converted using the symbol orcharacter recognition algorithm. In FIG. 6( b), a reference numeral 50represents a cursor.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary views of screens displaying characters intowhich touch input information is converted. For example, referring toFIG. 7, the screen may provide a display area 60 to display thecharacters into which the touch input according to handwriting on thescreen is recognized and converted. In this case, when the “memo”application is executed in response to the touch input through thescreen, the controller 14 may further provide buttons to allow the usercontrol the processing of the input information. For example, as shownin FIG. 7, there is provided a “SAVE” button 25 and the user may storethe input information as a memo upon touching the button 25 withoutproceeding into a different screen.

For another example, in FIG. 8, the screen displays a text “Memo” at adisplay area 61 to inform the user of an application currently beingexecuted. Therefore, the user may instantly notice that the applicationcurrently being executed is the “Memo” application upon looking at thedisplayed text “Memo”.

For still another example, referring to FIG. 9, if an application forperforming a phonebook function is executed when information including anumber is inputted by the user, the user may store the input informationin a phonebook by touching the “SAVE” button 25. Alternatively, thescreen may be changed to a screen related to the phonebook applicationfor storing additional information input in the phonebook upon touchingof the “SAVE” button 25.

Step S300 of FIG. 3 may be performed in various modes of the electronicdevice 100. Two examples are provided, specifically for an idle mode andan active mode.

The above described screen is generally referred to as a standby screenin the idle mode. That is, step S300 is performed when no specificapplication noticeable to the user is activated or executed. When theelectronic device 100 is in the idle mode, the user may not become awarethat any function is being performed by the electronic device 100. Infact, a power source is being applied to the electronic device 100 evenduring the idle mode.

For example, the mobile communication terminal continuously performscommunications with a base station even though the user may not noticeit. The idle mode refers to a state in which the electronic device 100is operated unnoticeably.

A specific application is executed at step S300 in the active mode whileanother application is being executed. For example, while a musicapplication for outputting music is running in the electronic device100, the touch input module 12 may display a screen provided by themusic application or a screen for the idle mode.

The screen for the music application may include the second area 30 inwhich no application icon is displayed. When information is inputthrough the second area 30 by the user writing at step S300, a specificapplication capable of processing the input information is executed atstep S310. For example, if the user wants to send a title of currentlyplayed music to a friend via SMS, the user may input the title of themusic by handwriting on the screen, thereby directly proceeding into ascreen for providing a SMS function.

Herein, the previously executed application may be continued orinterrupted. As to the above example, the execution of the musicapplication may be continued, thereby enabling the user to listen to themusic after the screen for the SMS function is displayed. Alternatively,the music application may be interrupted upon proceeding into the screenfor the SMS function. The active mode will be described in more detaillater.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating another method for inputtinginformation using the electronic device with the touch input module. Thecontroller 14 inputs information, including at least one of symbols andcharacters information, at step S400 upon touching a screen of the touchinput module. Step S400 corresponds to the above described step 8300.

The controller 14 then displays a list of applications at step S410capable of processing the input information of the step S400. FIG. 11 isan exemplary view of the screen displaying a list of applications on thetouch input module. Referring to FIG. 11, the screen provides the listof the applications capable of processing the input information: thelist including a “memo” application, an “SMS transmission” application,a “phonebook searcher” application, and an “integrated search”application.

The controller receives a selection signal at step S420 for selectingany one of the applications displayed in the list at step S410. Forexample, the “memo” application is selected in FIG. 11. The controllerexecutes the application selected at step S420 at step S430. Step S430corresponds to the above described step S310. The “memo” applicationwill be executed in response to the selection shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating yet another method for inputtinginformation using the electronic device with the touch input module. Aspecific file is reproduced at step S500. The specific file may be animage file, a text file, a moving picture file, or an audio file.

Herein, it is assumed that an audio file with a file name“Yesterday.mp3” is reproduced. During reproduction of the audio file,the screen displayed at the touch input module 12 is touched for aperiod of time such that information including symbols or characters isinput at step S510. Step S510 corresponds to the above described stepS300.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view of the screen for inputting informationduring reproduction of music. For example, the user may inputinformation on the screen by handwriting while listing to the musicreproduced from the file “Yesterday.mp3” at step S500. Referring to FIG.13, the screen displays a text of “Yesterday.mp3” at a defined area toenable the user to notice the name of the music currently playing. InFIG. 13, a screen for the music application is not displayed while themusic is being reproduced.

The controller 14 may store the information input at step S510 at stepS520 in connection with the music file being reproduced at step S500. Instep S520, the input information may be converted and stored as a symbolor a character through the symbol and character recognition algorithm,or may be stored as an image.

Further, the input information may be stored in step S520 as appended tothe reproduced music file or as a separate file linked to the producedmusic file. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the user may append thetouch input memo to the reproduced music file “Yesterday.mp3” or createa separate file and link the created file to the reproduced music file.

Information regarding the music file, such as a reproducing period or areproducing section of the music file, may be stored at step S520 withthe input information. For example, the user may take a memo for wordscorresponding to a specific reproducing section of the “Yesterday.mp3”music file. Then, the controller 14 may store the input memo with thereproducing period or the reproducing section of the “Yesterday.mp3”file. Afterwards, the stored memo may be displayed when the part of themusic file corresponding to the reproducing period or the reproducingsection stored with the memo is again reproduced.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary view of a screen in which input information isincluded as a part of a background. For example, the information inputby handwriting is included in the background and displayed as if theinput information is part of the background.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary view of a screen displaying a list of memosinput and stored through the touch input module. For example, the listof the input memos is displayed at a specific area 80 of the screen,whereby the user may scroll the list of the memos using a scroll bar 81.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are exemplary views of screens displaying memos storedand linked to music files. For example, in FIG. 16, the user may inputand store words of the music with the file name of “Yesterday.mp3” whilelistening to the music. The stored words may be displayed at a specificarea 82 while a section of the file corresponding to the stored words isbeing reproduced. For another example, as shown in FIG. 17, a music filemay be selected for reproduction from a list of music files 83. If themusic file linked to the stored memo is selected, the stored memo may bedisplayed at a specific area 82.

Another implementation of an application execution method using theelectronic device 100 having a touch input module illustrated in FIG. 1is described with reference to FIG. 18. With further reference to FIG.19, a touch input module 12 displays a screen under control of acontroller 14. The screen may be divided into two areas: a first area 20in which application icons are displayed and a second area 30, referredto as a background hereinafter, in which no application icon isdisplayed as described in connection with FIG. 4.

The background 30 of the screen displayed when the touch input module 12is touched (S600). For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, a user touches anypoint of the background 30 with a finger or a stylus pen (S600). Thecontroller 14 executes a specific application in response to the touchinput (S610). As shown in FIG. 20B, the controller 14 then executes anapplication providing a call connection function.

The specific application executed at step S610 may be set or changed bya user. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a screen for setting thespecific application. For example, an application displaying a menu“idle-screen function setting” and providing an alarm function of“wake-up call” is set as a specific application for execution at stepS610. Also, if a set button 85 positioned at a side of “wake-up call” isselected in FIG. 21, a list of a specific applications that can beexecuted at step S610 may be displayed. A user may select a desiredspecific application from the displayed list. The specific applicationexecuted at step S610 may be set in various ways.

The specific application may be set such that the specific applicationis executed in a specific time zone. The electronic device 100 mayprovide a menu for setting the specific application according to thespecific time zone.

For example, in FIG. 21, if a user touches the background 30 in a timezone “11:00 PM to 01:00 AM”, execution of the application “wake-up call”is set. For example, in FIG. 21, if a time setting button 86 positionedat a side of “11:00 PM to 01:00 AM” is selected, a window or screen isdisplayed for setting a specific time zone at which the specificapplication is executed.

The controller 14 controls the specific application executed at stepS610 according to a specific time zone. For example, an application forweb search may be set in a morning time zone, an application providing acall connection function may be set in an afternoon time zone, and anapplication providing an MP3 play function may be set in a night timezone.

By setting the specific application in a specific time zone as describedabove, a user may easily execute an application frequently used in thespecific time zone. For example, a user may execute the “wake-up call”application with only a motion of touching the background in the timezone (11:00 PM to 01:00 AM) in which he/she goes to bed and set a timeat which he/she desires to get up the next day as illustrated in FIG.21.

The application may be set such that step S610 is executed when thebackground 30 is touched once or touched ‘N’ times within apredetermined time. ‘N’ is an integer larger than 1. The value of ‘N’for executing step S610 can be set or changed by a user.

For example, the application may be set such that the background 30 mustbe touched once or twice by the user to execute the step S610. In FIG.21, “once touch” is set. The electronic device 100 may provide a menufor the setting execution of an application according to the number oftimes the background 30 is touched. If the user presses anumber-of-times setting button 87 in FIG. 21, the value of ‘N’ forexecution of step S610 can be set or changed through a display window.

The controller 14 controls the specific application executed at stepS610 according to the number of times the background 30 is touchedwithin a predetermined time. The specific application executed accordingto the number of times the background 30 is touched can be set andchanged. For example, a “message” application is executed when “oncetouch” is set, a “call connection” application is executed when “twicetouch” is set, and a “camera” application is executed when “three-timetouch” is set.

The application may be set such that step S610 is executed when any onepoint on the background 30 is touched or ‘N’ number of points areconcurrently touched. ‘N’ is an integer larger than 1. The number oftouch points for executing step S610 can be set or changed by a user.The electronic device 100 may provide a menu for setting the executionof an application according to the number of points touched.

For example, a selection that any one point of the background 30 shouldbe touched or two different points should be concurrently touched toexecute step S610 may be provided. The controller 14 controls thespecific application executed at step S610 according to the number ofpoints touched on the background 30.

The specific application corresponding to the number of points touchedcan be set or changed. For example, a “message” application may beexecuted when one point is touched and a “call connection” applicationmay be executed when two different points are concurrently touched.

The controller 14 controls the application icon representing thespecific application such that it is displayed in the background 30. Auser may notice whether any application is set in the background 30 uponseeing the application icon.

FIGS. 22A to 22C illustrate examples of different types of applicationicons. FIG. 22A shows an icon 88 a representing an application providinga video play function. FIG. 22B shows an icon 88 b representing anapplication providing an audio play function. FIG. 22C shows an icon 88c representing an application providing a camera function. A user willrecognize an application (S610) currently set for the screen upon seeingeach of the icons 88 a, 88 b, and 88 c shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C. Theapplication icon includes at least one of a text, an icon, an image, andthe screen.

FIGS. 23A to 23C show examples of various types of indicators for a“wake-up call” application. For example, the indicator may be displayedwith an icon 89 a, text 89 b, an image or a screen itself 89 c, or acombination thereof.

In the above examples, a screen having one area in the touch inputmodule 12 was described, but these examples are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention. According to another implementation,a screen displayed in the touch input module 12 may be divided into aplurality of areas.

FIGS. 24A to 24C show examples of screens divided into a plurality ofareas. Specifically, FIGS. 24A to 24C show examples of screens dividedinto two areas, three areas, and four areas, respectively.

The plurality of divided areas is linked to different applications.Thus, if a specific area is touched among the plurality of the dividedareas in step S600, a specific application linked to the touchedspecific area is executed in step S610. Information related to therelationship between each area and each application may be stored in thememory 11.

The words “Camera”, “Video”, “E-mail”, “Telephone directory”, “Memo”,and “MP3” are not characters actually displayed in the touch inputmodule 12, but represent that applications related to them are assignedto the respective corresponding areas. For example, the word “Camera”represents an application providing a camera function, the word “Video”represents a broadcast application or an application providing a movingpicture play function, and the word “E-mail” represents an applicationproviding an electronic mail transmission/reception function. Also, thewords “Telephone directory” represents an application providing afunction of searching or storing a telephone number, the word “Memo”represents an application providing a function of writing a short memo,and the word “MP3” represents an application providing an audio playfunction.

In FIG. 24A, if a user touches a first area 90, the controller 14executes the application for the camera function. In FIG. 24B, if theuser touches a second area 93, the controller 14 executes theapplication for the moving picture play function. In FIG. 24C, if theuser touches a third area 95, the controller 14 controls to proceed intoa menu related to a telephone directory.

The number of the divided areas and the specific application (S610)linked to each of the divided areas may be set and changed by the user.Another implementation of the electronic device 100 may provide a menufor setting an item related to an area of the divided screen.

The electronic device having the touch input module and the informationinputting method using the same have several advantages.

First, a new function, as described above, may be assigned to a screenusing a device with the touch input module.

Second, a user may input information to the screen by hand writing,thereby easily and conveniently proceeding into an application that isdesired or frequently used by the user.

Third, image, music, and moving picture files are played whileinformation such as written memo may be stored in association with theplayed file.

Fourth, the user may easily and conveniently execute an application thatis desired or frequently used by the user by directly touching an iconon the screen.

Fifth, the user may easily and conveniently execute differentapplications most frequently used according to time zones by placing andtouching icons representing the different applications for differenttime zones on the screen.

Sixth, the user may easily and conveniently execute various applicationsdepending on the number of times a screen is touched or the number ofconcurrent points that are touched using a device having the touch inputmodule.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present invention. The presentteaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses andprocesses. The description of the present invention is intended to beillustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

1. A method for receiving information in an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving a touch input via a touch input module of the electronic device, the touch input module comprising a display screen and the touch input comprising handwriting of at least one symbol or character, each of the at least one symbol or character being recognized as an input for executing a different type of application, wherein the touch input is received via the display screen; storing, in a memory of the electronic device, different types of applications comprising a specific application executable in response to the touch input; storing, in the memory, a symbol or character recognition algorithm; recognizing the received touch input through the symbol or character recognition algorithm; and executing the specific application upon recognizing the received touch input, wherein the at least one symbol or character assigned to the specific application is changeable to a different at least one symbol or character.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific application is executed when no signal is received from the touch input module for a predetermined period after recognizing the received touch input.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the touch input comprises more than one symbol or character, the character comprising a number.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific application is one of a memo application for storing the received information as a memo, a transmission application for transmitting a message including the received information, a scheduler application for storing the received information as a schedule, a search application for utilizing the received information as a search term, and an application related to a call function.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch input is received in an idle mode.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch input is receivable via the entire area of the display screen.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises at least two defined areas and the touch input is received via one of the at least two defined areas where a background is displayed with no icon or indicator displayed thereon.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a screen related to the executed specific application on the display screen.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the screen related to the executed specific application is displayed on a popup window that is displayed on the display screen.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying the recognized touch input on the display screen.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the recognized touch input is displayed as the touch input is being received.
 12. An electronic device comprising: a touch input module comprising a display screen and configured to receive a touch input comprising handwriting of at least one symbol or character, each of the at least one symbol or character being recognized as an input for executing a different type of application, wherein the touch input is received via the display screen; a memory configured to store different types of applications comprising a specific application executable in response to the touch input, the memory further storing a symbol or character recognition algorithm used to recognize the received touch input; and a controller configured to execute the specific application, wherein the at least one symbol or character assigned to the specific application is changeable to a different at least one symbol or character .
 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to execute the specific application when no signal is received from the touch input module for a predetermined period after recognizing the received touch input.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to recognize the received touch input using the symbol or character recognition algorithm before executing the specific application, the touch input comprising more than one symbol or character, the character comprising a number.
 15. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the specific application is one of a memo application for storing the received information as a memo, a transmission application for transmitting a message including the received information, a scheduler application for storing the received information as a schedule, a search application for utilizing the received information as a search term, and an application related to a call function.
 16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the touch input is received in an idle mode.
 17. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the touch input is receivable via the entire area of the display screen.
 18. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the display screen comprises at least two defined areas and the touch input is received via one of the at least two defined areas where a background is displayed with no icon or indicator displayed thereon.
 19. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to display a screen related to the executed specific application on the display screen.
 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the screen related to the executed specific application is displayed on a popup window that is displayed on the display screen.
 21. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to display the recognized touch input on the display screen.
 22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the recognized touch input is displayed as the touch input is being received. 